UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March [6], 2007

WILLDAN GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).

o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14A-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR.14d-2(b))

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Item 1.01               Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

As previously reported in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 for Willdan Group, Inc., Willdan Group, Inc. and its engineering services subsidiary, Willdan (collectively with Willdan Group, Inc., “Willdan”), were involved in a dispute with the City of West Hollywood, California (the “City”). The matter concerned a construction project in the City of West Hollywood for the improvement of Santa Monica Boulevard. The project required the reconstruction of approximately three miles of roadway. The City and the general contractor claimed that the design Willdan prepared was inadequate for the volume and type of traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard. The City also claimed that Willdan failed to control the costs of the project due to contractor claims for extra costs.  In the fourth quarter of 2005, following a trial in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the jury rendered a verdict against Willdan and awarded damages to the City in the amount of $6.3 million, including attorney’s fees, interest and costs.  Willdan had appealed the verdict and the appeal was ongoing.

Effective March 6, 2007, Willdan and the City entered into a Settlement Agreement (the “Agreement”) relating to the lawsuit with the City.  Willdan and the City have agreed to a full mutual release of all claims related to the lawsuit, appeal and all claims related to the lawsuit and appeal, subject to dismissal of the appeal.  Neither party admits any fault or liability related to the claims in the lawsuit.

Under the terms of the Agreement, Willdan has agreed to pay $6.2 million in cash to the City.  Willdan expects approximately $3.2 million of the cash settlement amount will be paid by its insurance coverage.  Willdan also agreed to provide to the City a credit for future services in the amount of $85,000 at Willdan’s then prevailing rates.  The future services to be provided can be chosen in the City’s sole discretion from services provided by Willdan to its municipal clients.  The City must use the credit of $85,000 no later than December 31, 2012.

Willdan will file a stipulation and request for dismissal of appeal in the action against the City.  In the event that the California Court of Appeal declines to accept the stipulation and dismissal of appeal, the Agreement will be invalid and any payment made under the Agreement will be returned to the Company.

The foregoing summary description of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.

Item 7.01.              Regulation FD Disclosure.

Willdan issued a press release dated March 12, 2007.  The press release announced the settlement agreement with the City.  The press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.  The information in this Item 7.01 and the exhibit attached hereto is being furnished (not filed) under Item 7.01 of Form 8-K.

Item 9.01               Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)          Exhibits.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		WILLDAN GROUP, INC.
Date: March 12, 2007		By:		/s/ Mallory McCamant
				Mallory McCamant
				Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

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Exhibit 10.1

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into and effective as of this 6th day of March, 2007, by and between the CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD, a municipal corporation (“City”), and WILLDAN, a California corporation and WILLDAN GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation, successor to THE WILLDAN GROUP OF COMPANIES, a California corporation (collectively “Willdan”) (sometimes referred to herein jointly as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party”).

RECITALS

A.            On or about November 21, 2003, the City filed a complaint for breach of contract, express contractual indemnity, implied contractual indemnity, implied equitable indemnity and negligence (the “Complaint”) against Willdan in the action entitled City of West Hollywood v. Willdan Associates aka Willdan aka The Willdan Group of Companies, et al., filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, bearing Case No. BC306587 (the “Action”).

                                B.            On or about December 18, 2003, Willdan filed a cross-complaint for breach of contract against the City in the Action (the “Cross-Complaint”).

                                C.            The claims alleged in the Complaint and the Cross-Complaint concern a dispute over Willdan’s performance of design, engineering and project management contracts in connection with the City’s Santa Monica Boulevard Rehabilitation Project (the “Project”)  These claims shall be referred to herein collectively as the “Lawsuit Claims.”

                                D.            Judgment was rendered in the Action on October 31, 2005 following a jury trial in Department 48 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.  On February 2, 2006, Willdan filed a notice of appeal of the judgment and the Superior Court’s order determining that the settlement between the City and cross-defendant Sialic Contractors corporation, dba Shawnan (“Shawnan”) was in good faith.  Willdan’s appeal is now pending as Case No. B189153 (the “Appeal”).

E.             It is now the mutual desire of the Parties by this Agreement fully and forever to resolve their differences over the Project and the Lawsuit Claims without the necessity of further investigation or litigation, and without an admission of liability by either Party.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency, and fairness of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

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I.
TERMS OF SETTLEMENT

1.1           Payment to City.   Within ten (10) business days of execution of this Agreement by the Parties, Willdan shall pay to City by way of one or more certified or cashier’s checks made payable to the “City of West Hollywood” or by wire transfer the sum of Six Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($6,200,000).  Payment by check shall be directed to the Finance Director, City of West Hollywood, 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California 90069.  Payment by wire transfer shall be made to Bank of America — Gov’t Services, 275 Valencia Avenue, Brea, CA 92823, pursuant to wire instructions to be provided separately by the City.  Each Party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees, costs of litigation and other expenses incurred in connection with the Action, the Appeal and with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement.

1.2           Credit Towards Future Services.       By this Agreement, Willdan commits to and shall provide to the City a credit for future services of the City’s choosing, in the City’s sole discretion, from among the services provided by Willdan to its municipal clients, at Willdan’s then prevailing rates, in the amount of Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($85,000).  The credit may be exercised by the City at any time and in any number or combination of transactions, subject to the City providing commercially reasonable notice to Willdan and to the reasonable availability of Willdan to provide the services.  The City shall exhaust the credit by not later than December 31, 2012.

1.3           Dismissals.  Within five (5) business days of the payment to the City identified in paragraph 1.1 above, counsel for Willdan shall file with the court of appeal a Stipulation and Request for Dismissal of Appeal in the Action as against the City only (the “Stipulation”).  The Stipulation shall provide that the City and Willdan are to bear their own costs in connection with the Appeal.  The Appeal will not be dismissed as to Shawnan.  In the event the Court of Appeal refused to accept the Stipulation and the dismissal of the Appeal as to the City only, this Agreement shall be invalid and the City shall return the payment made under Paragraph 1.1 above to Willdan within five (5) business days of any such ruling by the Court of Appeal.

II.
RELEASES

2.1           Mutual Release.  Upon dismissal of the Appeal as against the City,  the Parties, for themselves and each of their respective predecessors, successors and assigns, hereby fully release and forever discharge the other and each of the other Party’s respective, as relevant, shareholders, affiliates, boards, directors, commissions, agencies, officers, employees, agents, representatives, insurers and attorneys from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, liens, judgments, losses, liabilities, costs,

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expenses, and attorneys’ fees, of whatever nature, past or present or future, whether in law or in equity, whether under state or federal law, and whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected and whether asserted or not asserted, in connection with or relating to the Action, the Appeal and the Lawsuit Claims; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall release either Party from liability for failure to perform the terms, conditions, covenants and promises set forth in this Agreement.

2.2           Waiver of Civil Code §1542.  It is the express intention of the  Parties in executing this Agreement that this Agreement shall be effective as a full and final accord and satisfaction and release of each other from any and all of the Lawsuit Claims and the judgment entered in the Action.  In furtherance of this intention, the Parties acknowledge that they are familiar with Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows:

“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.”

The Parties hereby waive and relinquish all rights and benefits that they have or may have under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code or under any other law of the State of California or any federal law to the same or similar effect with respect to the Lawsuit Claims released herein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing release of Civil Code Section 1542, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the mutual releases set forth in paragraph 2.1 are specific to the matters set forth in such paragraph and are not intended to create general releases as to all claims, or potential claims, between the Parties related to other matters.

It is not the intention of the parties that Willdan release Shawnan from any claims that Willdan may have against Shawnan nor that Willdan dismiss its appeal as to Shawnan.

III.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

3.1           Effectiveness of this Agreement.  The Parties acknowledge and agree that no term or provision of this Agreement shall take effect or be binding on the Parties unless and until this Agreement has been fully signed and delivered by the Parties.

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3.2           Advice of Counsel.  In executing this Agreement, each Party acknowledges that it has consulted with and had the advice and counsel of an attorney duly admitted to practice in the State of California, and each Party further acknowledges that it has executed this Agreement after independent investigation and careful review, with a complete understanding of its contents, of its own free choice and will, and without fraud, duress or undue influence.

3.3           No Admission of Fault.  This Agreement pertains to the Lawsuit Claims and is the result of compromise.  Neither Party admits any fault or liability in respect of the Lawsuit Claims, and this Agreement does not constitute, and shall not in any circumstance be deemed to constitute, an admission of fault or liability by either Party.

3.4           Sole Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, offers, proposals, terms, representations, warranties, and agreements, whether written or oral, concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including without limitation, the Lawsuit Claims and the resolution of the Lawsuit Claims.  The Parties acknowledge that no other party, nor any agent or attorney of any Party, has made any promise, representation, warranty, or other inducement of any kind or nature whatsoever, written or oral, express or implied, concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, to induce the Party to execute this Agreement or for any other purpose, and each Party acknowledges that it has not executed this Agreement in reliance on any promise, representation, warranty or other inducement that is not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

3.5           Governing Law.  This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of California and the Parties agree that this Agreement shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced and governed by and under the internal laws of the State of California, without resort to choice of law principles.

3.6           Interpretation of Agreement.  This Agreement shall not be subject to challenge on the grounds that any or all of the legal theories or factual assumptions used for negotiating purposes are for any reason inappropriate or inaccurate.  The Parties acknowledge that the terms and conditions of this Agreement have resulted from the negotiations of the Parties and that no Party shall be deemed to be the drafter or author of this Agreement, nor shall either Party be subject to any legal rules of contract interpretation which may apply based on the extent to which either Party participated in the drafting of all or any portion of this Agreement.

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3.7           Execution of Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts with the same force and effect as if executed in one complete, original document.  Signatures delivered by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be accepted as though originals.

3.8           Representations and Warranties.  Willdan represents and warrants that the person who has signed this Agreement on behalf of Willdan is authorized to execute and enter into this Agreement for and on behalf of Willdan, and to bind Willdan to the terms set forth herein, and Willdan further represents and warrants that no other or further consent, approval, or signature is required to authorize the undersigned to sign for and bind Willdan.  The City warrants and represents that the person who has signed this Agreement on behalf of the City is authorized to execute and enter into this Agreement for and on behalf of the City and to bind the City to the terms set forth herein.  The City further represents and warrants that no other or further consent, approval, or signature is required to authorize the undersigned to sign for and bind the City.  The Parties each represent and warrant that neither has heretofore assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, any of the Lawsuit Claims released herein.  All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution, delivery and effectiveness hereof.

3.9           Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Willdan and the City, and their respective successors and assigns.

3.10         Amendment to Agreement.  Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of the Parties hereto and state the intent of the Parties to amend this Agreement.

3.11         Covenant Not to Sue.  The Parties covenant and agree not to institute any action or other dispute-resolution proceeding based on any of the Lawsuit Claims that the Parties have released under this Agreement.  It is understood and agreed that this Agreement is a bar to any such action or proceeding.

3.12         Further Assurances.  The Parties agree that each of them will execute and deliver to the other Party all such further documents and instruments as may be reasonably necessary and appropriate to effectuate the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

3.13         Disputes.  In the event that an action is commenced to enforce any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the non-prevailing Party shall pay the

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prevailing Party its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation incurred in connection with such claims, including the fees and costs incurred in the enforcement or collection of any judgment or award rendered therein.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Settlement Agreement on the dates indicated below.  When executed by both Parties, this Agreement shall be deemed effective as of the date first written above.

		CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD
		By:		/s/ John Heilman
				Mayor
Attest:
/s/ Thomas R. West
City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
/s/ Michael Jenkins
Michael Jenkins
Jenkins & Hogin
City Attorney
		WILLDAN
		A California corporation
		By:		/s/ David L. Hunt
				Vice President
		WILLDAN GROUP, INC.
		A Delaware corporation
		By:	/s/ Tracy Lenocker
			President
Approved as to Form:
/s/ Robert L. Lavoie
Robert L. Lavoie
Lavoie, McCain & Jarman
General Counsel

 

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Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Willdan Group, Inc. Finalizes Settlement of Litigation
with City of West Hollywood

ANAHEIM, Calif., March 12, 2007 — Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN), a leading provider of outsourced services to public agencies, today announced the final settlement of a dispute between its engineering services subsidiary, Willdan, and the City of West Hollywood, California.  The final agreement between the parties became effective as of March 6, 2007.

The dispute arose in fiscal year 2002 and concerned a construction project for the improvement of Santa Monica Boulevard.  The matter went to trial in the fourth quarter of 2005 and a jury rendered a verdict in favor of the City of West Hollywood, awarding damages in the amount of $6.3 million.  The full amount of the judgment was accrued by Willdan in fiscal year 2005.  Willdan appealed the verdict, and that appeal was ongoing prior to this settlement being reached.

According to the terms of the final agreement, Willdan will pay the City of West Hollywood $6.2 million in cash and provide the city a credit of $85,000 towards future services.  Willdan expects approximately $3.2 million of the settlement to be paid by Willdan’s insurance coverage.  By reaching this settlement, Willdan will eliminate approximately $53,000 per month in future interest expense related to the litigation and the ongoing legal expenses associated with the appeal.

“We believe this is a favorable outcome for our company and we look forward to working with the City of West Hollywood in the future,” said W. Tracy Lenocker, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Willdan Group, Inc.  “We are also pleased to eliminate substantial monthly expenses related to this litigation which can now be applied to our growth and expansion.”

About Willdan Group, Inc.

Founded over 40 years ago, Willdan Group, Inc. is a leading provider of outsourced services to public agencies located primarily in California and other western states.  Willdan Group, Inc. assists cities and other government agencies with a broad range of services, including civil engineering, building and safety services, geotechnical engineering, financial and economic consulting, and disaster preparedness and homeland security.  www.willdangroup.com

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Willdan, a wholly owned subsidiary of Willdan Group, Inc., is an engineering and planning firm dedicated to serving the individual needs of cities, towns, counties, special districts, as well as state and federal agencies.  Willdan has offices throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, serving more than 400 public sector clients.  www.willdan.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement:  Statements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Willdan Group’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, estimates, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risk that the Company will not be able to apply its expected cost savings to growth and expansion strategies. It is important to note that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the local and regional economies of California and the other markets in which the Company operates. The Company’s business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports including, but not limited to, the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 3, 2006. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Willdan Group, Inc. disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.

Contact:

Mallory McCamant

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 714-940-6327

mallory@willdangroup.com

Moira Conlon

The Abernathy MacGregor Group Inc.

Tel: 213-630-6550

MHC@abmac.com

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